How we support your child's future

At Arden College, we are committed to careers education, information, advice, and guidance ensuring students leave us with the right tools and values to become independent, active citizens or employed.

Careers support

We support students, with their parents and carers, to consider their future options, realise their potential and decide how their skills and experiences fit with opportunities in the local job market. We support students to prepare for their preferred destination whether that is to continue with further education, employment, training or living independently. We have a person-centred approach to student outcomes through our EHCP annual reviews process where we collaborate with all stakeholders to shape clear and ambitious targets for young people to prepare for their next steps.

We collaborate closely with the local authority due to the vulnerable nature of our students, who all have special education needs and disabilities with Education, Health, and Care plans in place. We ensure that we know of all the services available to support students to access these and share this knowledge amongst our community.

There are several terms used to describe Careers Education, and there is inevitably some overlap between them:

Employability/work skills is the delivery of learning about careers and the skills and knowledge required to become employable. This is embedded as part of the curriculum
Work experience/placement: At Arden College, we recognise the importance of meaningful work experience in preparing students for adulthood and employment. Work experience placements provide valuable opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the workplace, while building essential employability skills through real-life experiences. We work closely with each student to explore their interests, strengths, and future aspirations. Together, we identify and source placements that align with their individual goals, enabling them to gain practical experience, develop confidence, and make informed decisions about their future career pathways. Through these experiences, students learn valuable workplace skills, increase their independence, and build the confidence needed to progress into further education, training, volunteering, or employment.
Careers information is the provision of information and resources about courses, occupations, and career paths
Careers advice is more in-depth explanation of information and how to access and use information
Careers guidance or careers counselling is a deeper intervention in which an individual’s skills, attributes and interests are explored in relation to their career option.

Life beyond Arden College

When your son/daughter leaves Arden College, they are likely to have some or all of the following options available to them depending on their ability, independence and support needs:

Further education at a college or training provider to follow a study programme
Employment – open, supported or voluntary
Social care options – community based day activities – this could include day centres, part-time college, social firms, community leisure or sport/fitness activities and supported living/specialist residential care for those who are eligible for services
Apprenticeship – an apprenticeship is a way to gain the skills, knowledge and experience you need to get into many careers. They combine work, training and study, letting you ‘earn while you learn’. Apprenticeships are available across a range of areas. Click here for further information
Traineeship – usually a 6 month programme made up of extended work experience working towards qualifications. A traineeship will normally lead to an apprenticeship or work
Supported internship – supported internships are a study programme for learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Learners will have a work placement and complete relevant qualifications alongside their placement. Click here for further information

Destinations

At Arden College, we are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students as they move on to exciting opportunities in the world of work.

Many of our young people have successfully secured employment in a range of industries, demonstrating the skills, confidence, and independence they have developed during their time with us.

Recent success stories include a former student who is now working as an Outdoor Education Instructor, helping others to enjoy and learn through outdoor activities. Another has secured a role at a local pub, while one student is now employed at the local hospital. We are also delighted that another former student has gained employment with Costa Coffee.

These are just a few examples of the many positive destinations our students achieve after leaving Arden College. Every employment success story represents hard work, determination, and the invaluable support of families, employers, and staff working together

For any advice please contact our Careers Leader: Lydia Haram

Email address: lydiaharam@aspriscs.co.uk

Useful websites and contacts

Additional support and guidance

You can contact a qualified Careers Advisor via text/phone or webchat to discuss careers, courses and finding a job – find out more here.

Children and young people with SEND and their families may be entitled to additional financial support. The government offers advice on financial help for children and young people on the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989.

Our partnerships

We work in partnership with a range of organisations to help enhance our services for students, including access to career resources. These include the Careers Enterprise Company, Career Connect, and other public, charitable and private sectors.